Recent content by jnorth88

It is more like 12 hours without a stop. It is very doable, but I would not recommend it, honestly. If you have a second driver, that is fine to do. But safety should come first. If you are a single driver, please rest. Long travel times can cause accidents due to impaired ability.

I would not be surprised if a surprise storm comes through. They seem to be fed by warm airs causing a pressure front in Tibet. So, maybe if you can see if their temperatures are above average, you can get a better guess if there will be snowfall.

Most seems to be local wines produced from fermenting any sorts of fruits they have available. The list above is pretty decent, but there are more with with very local names. Just be open minded and give them all a try. Some are even good.

It looks like this ranges between Rs 1000 to 4500. It depends on the type of car you want to let, and whether it has ac or not.

I checked an online site, which quoted Rs 4800. That seems pretty high, but I think it is roundtrip, so it is slightly better. The trouble is that the distance is a bit more than what you should drive by taxi, but it is hard to go by bus. Try finding some place where you can get the taxi in...

I think he meant durian. Even Adrew Zimmern hates durian, and he eats just about anything. I find it very unpalatable, and dislike the smell. To me, it is somewhat like rotting garbage, but others like it well enough. Jackfruit is great. I sometimes get jackfruit ice cream in Brazil.

I have not been to that dam specifically, but I have visited several dams and they are always nice locations for a short trip. Plan a small picnic and enjoy the view and engineering. My favorite was to visit Mansfield dam, in Texas, as it was a great place for a jog and a sandwich. It is a good...

Yes, India is very safe if you keep aware. There are very safe areas, and some not so safe, but there is little reason to go to those not safe areas. Of course, it is always better to travel in a group, and even better if you have some men with you, but that is not a necessity. If you want to...

Yes, people can eat beef in India. In fact, it is my understanding that the low caste in India always had the ability to eat beef, and they were the ones tasked with disposing of the bodies of dead cows. They even wore leather products, which is another taboo. But that idea of not eating beef is...

I think it is actually better to travel during some of these off season times. There are fewer people, which means you will have the beaches to yourself. It is always possible to keep cool with ac inn your room, or have a cold drink from a store. But I like privacy and seclusion, which you will...

I typically use Avis for my car rentals. They have always done well for me. It is fairly easy to get gold status with them, which is also a great help. That gives discounts and better service. If you have credit cards, check to see if they have any programs with car rental companies. Many times...

If you are looking for some really easy things to do in Bangalore, have you considered something as relaxing as a very nice dinner? Going to one of the top restaurants would give you a Bangalore experience which is easy, does not take much time, and reflects the local culture. Try the Big...

India is not the cleanest country, but that is not a problem for most tourists. Most places a tourist would go are just fine. But whenever you travel you should be aware of germs and have heightened hygiene. There are new germs when you travel, and the stress of travel will impact your immune...

Have deep pockets. Always be aware. Don't leave things loose, or hanging on a strap on your shoulder. Be careful that most pickpockets are not like in the movies where someone just brushes by you and steals your wallet. Generally, it is a mob of kids that surround you, confuse you, touch you...

I have seen construction in China where the concrete was so bad it was turning to dust. These were support columns for high rise buildings. They hardly had any rebar, as well. It is very dangerous and shortsighted to skimp on construction like this. Especially because construction materials are...